87v6Bird

iTrader: (1)

Over the weekend I installed a triple pillar pod from Autometer. I haven't ever seen anyone else use one of these but maybe I just haven't been paying attention.
It mounted over the factory A pillar very well with no noticeable gaps.
Anyway here are some pics.






This is the convenient hole I found in the firewall that I could run my tubing through.





Also if anyone has any suggestion for why my dash lights have quit working now that I installed this please feel free to help me out at this thread.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/elec...ments-now.html

1Aauto

I always liked the pillar gauges.They look good.

87v6Bird

iTrader: (1)

Yeah I like the look too and it was easier than wiring in a VSS so I could have a cluster with the same gauges.

HCR13

iTrader: (5)

very nice, not bad at all... did you notice a fitment issue with the bottom gauge hitting the dashpad, it does on mine...

87v6Bird

iTrader: (1)

Yeah mine hits the dash pad too. Really it just helps to keep the pod nice and tight though.

xpndbl3

iTrader: (5)

skip that plastic line crap and buy the copper tubing before that plastic stuff rubs a hole somewhere and starts leaking

87v6Bird

iTrader: (1)

I checked my route and avoided any areas I thought would rub. That's the reason it's covered in silicone through the firewall and it's not sitting on any sharp edges up through my dash that I know of.
Copper tube will work harden and become brittle then break. I'm not saying that copper tubes are a bad idea but it has the chance to fail just like poorly routed plastic tube.

xbox07

Looks great, i really like the way they look in thirdgens. I want one when i can afford it but i wasn't sure which gauges i wanted i was thinking a tach but i didn't know if there was one that fit and looked good but that ones great.
Seems like it'd be a pain to get the dash pad off though lol.

87v6Bird

iTrader: (1)

The pad is held in by a row of screws along the front and 4 screws in the defroster vent. It's really not that bad. Just be careful as you pull it out. The hard part for me was tapping into power wires for the gauges. I also removed my gauge cluster so that I could get at the power wires and the tach feed. It's pretty cramped.
Autometer makes a few different 2 1/16 in. tachs. Just look around on their site.

xbox07

It just seems like it'd be a little hard to lift the dash pad up to take it off, then again if i'd lower my tilt steering wheel when i take mine off i wouldn't have to lift it up so high .

87v6Bird

iTrader: (1)

Yeah and don't make the mistake of installing the dash pad and pod before you put your gauge cluster back in. I didn't think I'd ever ever manage to get it back in with the pad already in.

xbox07

Thanks for the tip.

cooltc2004

iTrader: (4)

No, your thinking of the plastic tube again. The plastic tube might become brittle then break. Copper tube is metal, its not going to break unless it under goes alot of stress such as cycling of a load or bending it back and forth, none of which this tube will see.

One of my dads friends was breaking in a new cam in a brand new 427ci BBC L88 on an engine stand. He used plastic tubing for the oil pressure gauge. He went inside for a second, to either answer the phone or get something to eat, I dont know. Anyways, when he came out, the plastic tube had rested on the header, melted, and the engine pumped all the moto oil onto the ground and locked up. Bye bye motor.

Just saying, if it was me, I'd use metal.

87v6Bird

iTrader: (1)

It's wrapped in heat reflective tape anywhere it's even close to my header and tied out of the way so it shouldn't be able to fall onto it anyway. I'll take my chances I don't feel like routing new copper tube a week after I routed this and getting the copper tube through the same route the plastic went through would be difficult in my opinion. Thanks for the opinion though.

V6F1R3BRD

i wanted to do that. but then i decided i just wanted a tach lol. i mounted mine right under the dash by the light switch. looks stock from the outside lol

87v6Bird

iTrader: (1)

Yeah I thought about mounting everything under the dash but I'm too tall and my knees would have been hitting the gauges constantly.

ghettocruiser

iTrader: (4)

Hehe you havent been paying attention They've been around for quite awhile now.

Your main problem with that plastic tubing probably wont be heat. It'll be cold. Depending where you live. That stuff turns very brittle when it gets cold, and contrary to what you might think, vibration will eventually do it in. It might take awhile, but it can happen.

I dont like mechanical gauges for any fluid measurement. Only tubing I have is for my vac. gauge. Not saying mech is bad...they are quite accurate and less prone to failure...of the gauge. But Ive never had a sending unit go bad either...and the accuracy is plenty for my street car.

As for the other info... My lowest pod is pretty hard into the dash. Makes a nice little divit after a few years. But, it keeps it tight like OP stated.

Also...forget about pulling the dash pad with the pod in there. Even if it were possible, why risk cracking the pod or the a-pillar. Its one little screw, ont the t-top cars anyway, to pull the pod out of the way.

Looks good OP! Its WAY nicer than random gauges screwed all over the place or under the dash... In my opinion anyway.



J.

87v6Bird

iTrader: (1)

Ghettocruiser and everyone else who's pointed out the main disadvantage of mechanical gauges- If it had been up to me I probably would have went with electric gauges but these were given to me by parents and I didn't want to act like a spoiled kid and tell them they got the wrong kind.

As for pulling the dash pad out with the cluster in, yeah I can tell there's no way that's going to happen. Unfortunately I'll be having to remove everything this weekend anyway because I lost all my dash lights within minutes of getting everything installed.

V6F1R3BRD

same here. i just put mine in front of the left air vent. looks good and i dont lose any leg space

I H8 WWD

iTrader: (5)

Looks good, I really like how it sits close to the dash pad. Great product.

HCR13

iTrader: (5)

I still think it looks great. I am hesitant in putting mechanical liquid measuring gauges inside the cabin. I have a fuel pressure gauge, but its electric. And nitrous pressure, also electric, and narrow band A/F, useless. The only mechanical I have is coolant temp, and thats outside in the cowl of the hood... Plastic or copper, I think you'll be alright. Seems like you took good preventive measures...

xbox07

You sure its not just a fuse? I installed a sunpro temp gage and my dash lights went out like a day after (probably wasn't related) but it was just a blown fuse.

cooltc2004

iTrader: (4)

Actually, I'm more of a fan of the mechanical gauges, they are more accurate. You actually have oil coming into the gauge and getting a readout. The way you routed your tubing looks fine, I wasn't trying to get you to change your routing or tube, just clearing up a few things. I say you run with the plastic for a while (keeping your eye on it) and if you notice the plastic becoming brittle or melting, then I'd consider replacing it.

I really like the look of the gauge pod, so much so that I'm thinking of doing it myself. I'm also a fan of Sun Pro gauges, I happen to have some for my Bronco. Have you noticed how different your nwe gauges are compared to your stock ones yet?

87v6Bird

iTrader: (1)

A fuse was blown but I replaced it and still no lights so something else must have went as well and unfortunately everything else that could have went wrong lies behind and under my dash. I'm actually trying to address that problem here: https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/elec...ments-now.html

Cooltc- If you mean how different the readings are I wish I could tell you but all I had was a speedo and fuel gauge so I was always flying blind as to what was going on with my car.

xbox07

is your shifter light out too?

cooltc2004

iTrader: (4)

Ahh, I see that now, didn't even pay attention. Well, very clean install.

87v6Bird

iTrader: (1)

It's shot actually so I can't say for sure. I'm missing gauge lights and heater control lights.

Ironman4life

hey could i get the part number for this piller pod would like to do this set up in my t/a